Alexei Volkov
Plastic worms are a versatile and lifelike bait option for bass fishermen. They can be rigged in several ways, including the Texas rig, the Carolina rig, the wacky rig, and the shaky head jig. The Texas rig involves using a bullet-shaped weight, a glass or plastic bead, and an offset worm hook, while the wacky rig leaves the worm dangling freely off both sides of the hook. The shaky head jig, on the other hand, uses a specialized jig head that bounces off the bottom and stands up vertically, creating an appealing presentation for bass. Additionally, the Ned rig is a simple and effective technique, especially during adverse conditions when bass are less active. When rigging plastic worms, it's important to select the right hook and embed it securely without tearing the worm.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technique | Texas rig, Wacky rig, Shaky head rig, Ned rig, Drop shot rig |
| Rig setup | Hook, line, weight, bead, jighead |
| Hook type | Offset worm hook, drop shot hook |
| Hook size | 1/0-5/0 offset worm hook, 1/0-3/0 drop shot hook |
| Hook position | Tip of the hook 0.25 inches (6.4 mm) into the worm's head, centre of the worm |
| Worm type | Soft plastic, straight-tailed, curly-tailed, Trifinity |
| Worm size | 2-6 inches |
| Worm colour | Black, chartreuse |
| Retrieval technique | Slow, steady retrieve, lift rod tip slowly from 3 o'clock to 1 o'clock |
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What You'll Learn
- The Texas Rig: Thread a bullet sinker onto the line, then secure to a hook
- Shaky Head Rig: Tie a shaky jighead to the line and rig a worm onto the jighead
- Wacky Rig: The worm dangles freely off both sides of the hook
- Ned Rig: Small soft plastic bait on a light wire mushroom head jig
- Drop Shot Rig: Small thin-wire hook with a weight attached to the tag end of the line
The Texas Rig: Thread a bullet sinker onto the line, then secure to a hook
The Texas rig is a popular and versatile fishing technique that involves attaching a soft plastic bait to a specially designed hook, which is then weighted with a bullet-shaped sinker. This rigging method is weedless, which means you can fish it in dense vegetation and heavy cover without getting snagged.
To set up a Texas rig, start by threading a bullet-shaped sinker onto your main fishing line. The weight of the sinker will vary depending on the depth of the water and the type of cover you're fishing. If you're angling in shallow water, use a lighter weight, and if you're targeting bass in deeper water, opt for a heavier sinker. A good rule of thumb is to match the weight to the mood of the fish and the cover you're targeting. After threading the sinker, tie a hook to the end of the line. You can use a wide gap (EWG) style hook or an offset or straight shank hook.
Once the hook is secured, it's time to rig the soft plastic bait. Puncture the top center of the worm's head with the hook's point, then feed the tip about a 1/4 inch down the worm's head and push it through the bait. Next, slide the worm's head up the hook's shank until it is flush with the eyelet, and the worm's body should be parallel with the shank. Now, bend the upper portion of the worm's body and sink the hook's point into it.
When fishing with a Texas rig, remember to be patient and fish slowly. This rigging method allows you to work your bait through open water as well as light and heavy cover without getting snagged. Keep in mind that the Texas rig is just one of many ways to rig a soft plastic worm, and you can experiment with different setups to find what works best for you.
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Shaky Head Rig: Tie a shaky jighead to the line and rig a worm onto the jighead
Shaky Head Rig is a popular technique for bass fishing. It involves using a shaky jighead tied to a fishing line and rigging a worm onto the jighead. This setup is designed to mimic the natural movement of a creature nosing around on the bottom of a lake or riverbed, stirring up silt and mud. The key to this technique is creating a subtle, enticing presentation that triggers strikes from lethargic bass.
When creating a Shaky Head Rig, the first step is to select the appropriate jighead weight and style. The weight of the jighead can range from 1/16 to 1/4 ounces, depending on water depth, current, and wind conditions. A lighter jighead is generally preferred for clearer water and more precise presentations, while a heavier jighead may be needed in deeper or windier conditions to prevent the line from bowing. The two most common styles of jigheads used in this rig are ballheads and screw locks. Ballheads are popular because they create an easier hookset due to the angle of the worm, which adds inward pressure, making it ideal for fishing in open water banks and gravel bottoms. Screw locks, on the other hand, are easier to rig and enable the worm to sit more vertically in the water, allowing the tail to float and dance naturally.
Once you have selected the appropriate jighead, it's time to rig the worm. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are using a ballhead or screw lock. For a ballhead jig, start by cutting off the head of the worm to flatten it. Then, thread the hook through the head of the worm for about a quarter of an inch, push it through the side, and slide the worm over the baitkeeper of the ballhead. Rotate the hook so it faces the worm, find the entry point and bunch up the worm before pulling the hook through. For a screw lock jig, the process is similar, but instead of sliding the worm over the baitkeeper, you will screw the worm into the screw lock, ensuring the hook faces the worm.
When fishing with a Shaky Head Rig, it is essential to use the right rod and reel setup. A long spinning rod, such as a 7-foot medium-action rod, paired with a spinning reel, is ideal. This setup provides excellent sensitivity and control, allowing you to feel the bottom and detect subtle bites. Additionally, using a fluorocarbon line is recommended as it offers low stretch, sensitivity, and invisibility in clear water. When casting, let the rig sink to the bottom, and then gently shake the rod to make the worm wiggle, imitating the movement of prey.
The Shaky Head Rig is a versatile technique that can be adapted to various conditions. By changing the colour of the worm, it can be used in both clear and dirty water. It is also effective in different types of cover, including rocks, grass, weeds, and docks. Additionally, the rig can be used with different retrieval techniques, such as hopping it, cranking it slowly, or letting it bump the bottom, depending on the behaviour of the bass.
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Wacky Rig: The worm dangles freely off both sides of the hook
Wacky rigging is one of the most effective bass fishing techniques. It is a simple setup that requires an o-ring, a hook, and your choice of soft stick bait.
To set up the wacky rig, start by placing the worm halfway into the o-ring. Then, slide the o-ring off so that it sits in the middle of the worm. Next, run your hook through the middle of the worm. This will prevent the worm from being flung off the hook when a bass jumps on or starts throwing its head back and forth.
When fishing in cold water, a natural, slack line fall is likely the most effective method. The slow, subtle fall of a slack-lined wacky rig replicates the lethargic movement of baitfish in colder temperatures. However, when the water temperature rises, adding action to your rig can be more effective. Lightly jigging your rod tip will cause the soft plastic worm to dart erratically, mimicking the behaviour of baitfish in warmer water and triggering bass into biting.
There are a variety of hooks and weights available for wacky rigging. The VMC Wacky Rigging Kit offers regular wacky hooks, weedless hooks, and weighted wacky hooks for deeper applications. The weedless option is ideal for fishing around heavy cover, laydowns, or docks surrounded by grasses. Additionally, O-rings are optional but recommended as they extend the life of the bait and improve the overall presentation of the wacky rig. High-quality O-rings are durable, elastic, and snugly fit around the worm, securing the hook without damaging the plastic.
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Ned Rig: Small soft plastic bait on a light wire mushroom head jig
The Ned Rig is a finesse fishing technique that involves using small plastic stickbaits, craws, or creatures. The bait is rigged on a light wire mushroom-shaped jig head with a finesse wire hook. The jighead typically weighs between 1/16 to 1/4-ounce. The weight of the jighead should be heavy enough to get your rig to the bottom, but not so heavy that your rig can't stand up. The Ned Rig was invented by Ned Kehde and popularised in the Midwest, hence its name.
The Ned Rig can be fitted with a large variety of soft plastic baits such as Senkos, shakey worms, craws, grubs, shinners, and leeches. The bait should be buoyant, allowing it to stand up off the bottom, creating a natural presentation. The rig is typically cast out and allowed to fall to the bottom, where it will be irresistible to bottom-feeding bass and panfish.
Once the rig has settled on the bottom, you can employ the hop and bounce technique, which is ideal for bass fishing in water with crawfish. Retrieve the rig for a few seconds and then let it settle back to the bottom. Repeat this action as you continue your retrieve.
Another technique is the stroll, which is a trolling method ideal for targeting black bass species. Cast your rig and let it settle to the bottom. Then, use your trolling motor to drag the rig slowly across the bottom until it's directly behind the boat.
The swim-glide-shake technique is one of the most popular techniques for fishing with a Ned Rig. To do this, swim the bait by reeling slowly, then pause to let the bait glide to the bottom. Hop off the bottom with short snaps of the rod, reel up the slack, pause, and repeat.
The Ned Rig is a versatile and effective rig that can be used with a variety of baits and techniques to catch a wide range of fish species.
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Drop Shot Rig: Small thin-wire hook with a weight attached to the tag end of the line
A drop shot rig is a line tied to a hook with a leader underneath, allowing the bait to hover off the bottom and create a natural, realistic presentation. This technique is particularly effective in clear or deep-water situations when fish are wary and it can be challenging to get a bite. The key to this rig is the freedom of movement it offers the soft plastic worm. Instead of dragging it across the lake bottom, light shakes of the rod tip will impart the necessary action, creating a natural presentation that increases your chances of attracting larger fish.
When setting up a drop shot rig, it is recommended to use a light-wire hook as it penetrates better. You can add the worm to the hook by either nose-hooking it or Texas-rigging it. Nose-hooking is the most common method, where the worm is hooked under the chin and out through the nose, allowing the bait to dance a few inches above the weight as the angler drags it across the bottom. The Texas rig method involves pushing the worm through and laying the flat part of the hook on the back of the plastic before pushing the point slightly into the plastic, making it easier to release the hook when setting it.
The weight of the drop shot rig is typically tied to the end of the tag line with a knot. The weight can vary, usually ranging from 1/8 to 1/4 ounce, and can include slinky weights to avoid snagging on rocks or branches. The deeper the water or the heavier the cover, the heavier the weight should be to ensure the bait reaches the bottom quickly. Additionally, on windy days or when there is a current, a heavier weight is preferable to get the bait down.
The drop shot rig is a versatile technique that can be used in various fishing scenarios. It is effective in deep water when targeting fish in the lower water column along ledges or channels. It can also be used in shallower water, such as between logs or above grass lines. The setup is simple, requiring you to flip it out, let it sink to the bottom, and then incorporate small twitches to impart action to the bait.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to jig a plastic worm, but the most popular is the shaky head rig. This involves using a shaky jighead, which is tied to the fishing line. The worm is then threaded onto the jighead, and the hook is placed through the worm's body.
The worms used for this rig are usually straight-tail plastic worms.
A Texas rig involves threading a bullet-shaped weight onto the fishing line, followed by a glass or plastic bead, and then securing the line to a hook. The worm is hooked into the side of the body, leaving the worm dangling freely off both sides of the hook.
A wacky rig is when the worm is hooked through the centre of the bait, allowing the worm to undulate as it falls through the water.
The Ned rig is a simple setup that involves a small soft plastic bait rigged onto a light wire mushroom head jig. The bait is thrown on spinning gear, allowed to fall to the bottom, and slowly hopped along the bottom on the retrieve.
